Communication method and device for wireless communication network and wireless communication network with traffic estimation offloading features

ABSTRACT

The art relates to a communication method and device for a wireless communication network and a wireless communication network. In the communication method, to one cell cluster in at least one cell cluster included in the wireless communication network, an Uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of the cell cluster during the next ratio configuration adjusting period is determined based on un-allocatable prediction amount for un-allocatable services of each cell in the cell cluster, and allocatable prediction amount for the services, which can be allocated to other cell(s), of each cell in the cell cluster, thus utilization efficiency of communication resource is optimized, and the cells in the cell cluster have the same communication frequency and Uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme. According to the embodiments of the invention, the utilization efficiency of communication resource can be improved.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/914,686, filed Mar. 7, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/758,928, filed Jul. 1, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,942,799), which is a National Phase of PCT/CN2013/90529, filed Dec.26, 2013, which claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application201310036634.8, filed on Jan. 30, 2013, the entire contents of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a communication method and apparatusfor a wireless communication network and a wireless communicationnetwork. Particularly, the present application relates to acommunication method and apparatus for a wireless communication networkand a wireless communication network which can adjust an uplink-downlinkratio configuration scheme of a cell cluster in the wirelesscommunication network dynamically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a traditional TDD (Time Division Duplexing) cell communicationnetwork, the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme cannot beadjusted dynamically. If a cell is to perform service distribution withan intra-frequency or inter-frequency adjacent cell, a bandwidthrequirement of service required to be distributed and extra bandwidthresources which can be provided by the cell after the cell's bandwidthrequirement for the service of the cell itself is satisfied arecompared, after the bandwidth resources (including both uplink bandwidthresources and downlink bandwidth resources) which can be provided by thecell are determined based on the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of the cell, so as to determine how to perform distribution onthe service. To be noted, the distribution of data is performed in theunit of a cell.

Recently, under the scenario of heterogeneous networks in a wirelesscommunication network, to enhance the self-adaptiveness of uplink anddownlink service transmitting, in version 12 of LTE-A (Long termevolution-Advanced) system, an adjusting mechanism of theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme is introduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, when adjusting the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme,it is a problem of great challenge whether to take the bandwidthrequirement of the distributed service into consideration.

On one hand, if the bandwidth requirement of the distributed service isnot taken into consideration at all, each cell cannot know itsdistribution situation with neighboring cells, so that theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme acquired by adjusting may notwell reflect the uplink and downlink bandwidth requirement of the wholenetwork.

On the other hand, if the bandwidth requirement of all the potentialdistributed service is taken into consideration in an uplink anddownlink ratio configuration adjusting period, the quality of service ofthe service of the cell itself may be affected. Generally, whenadjusting the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, the service ofthe cell itself should have higher priority level than the distributedservice.

For this purpose, there is provided a communication method and apparatusfor a wireless communication network and a wireless communicationsystem, which can improve the adjustment to the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme of the cell cluster, so that the communicationefficiency is optimized.

According to an embodiment of the present application, there is provideda communication method for a wireless communication network, wherein:with respect to one cell cluster of at least one cell cluster includedin the wireless communication network, based on a predictednon-distributable amount of non-distributable service of each cell inthat cell cluster, and a predicted distributable amount of service ofeach cell in that cell cluster which is able to be distributed withother cells, an uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of that cellcluster within a next ratio configuration adjusting period is determinedin order to optimize the utilization efficiency of communicationresources, and cells in each cell cluster have a same communicationfrequency and a same uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme.

According to an embodiment of the present application, there is furtherprovided an apparatus for adjusting an uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme of cell clusters in a wireless communicationnetwork, wherein cells in each cell cluster have a same communicationfrequency and a same uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme. Theapparatus includes: a configuration unit, configured to, with respect toone cell cluster of at least one cell cluster included in the wirelesscommunication network, determine the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of that cell cluster within a next ratio configuration adjustingperiod, based on a predicted non-distributable amount ofnon-distributable service of each cell in that cell cluster, and apredicted distributable amount of service of each cell in that cellcluster which is able to be distributed with other cells, in order tooptimize the utilization efficiency of communication resources; and acommunication unit, configured to, with respect to that cell cluster,provide the determined uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme ofthat cell cluster within the next ratio configuration adjusting periodto a base station in that cell cluster.

According to an embodiment of the present application, there is furtherprovided a wireless communication system, which includes: at least onecell cluster, cells in each of which have a same communication frequencyand a same uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, and an apparatusfor adjusting an uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of cellclusters. The apparatus includes: a configuration unit, configured to,with respect to one cell cluster of the at least one cell cluster,determine the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of that cellcluster within a next ratio configuration adjusting period, based on apredicted non-distributable amount of non-distributable service of eachcell in that cell cluster, and a predicted distributable amount ofservice of each cell in that cell cluster which is able to bedistributed with other cells, in order to optimize the utilizationefficiency of communication resources; and a communication unit,configured to, with respect to that cell cluster, provide the determineduplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of that cell cluster withinthe next ratio configuration adjusting period to a base station in thatcell cluster.

According to another embodiment of the present application, there isfurther provided a program, which causes a computer executing theprogram to implement the communication method for a wirelesscommunication network, wherein: with respect to one cell cluster of atleast one cell cluster included in the wireless communication network,based on a predicted non-distributable amount of non-distributableservice of each cell in that cell cluster, and a predicted distributableamount of service of each cell in that cell cluster which is able to bedistributed with other cells, an uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of that cell cluster within a next ratio configuration adjustingperiod is determined in order to optimize the utilization efficiency ofcommunication resources, and cells in each cell cluster have a samecommunication frequency and a same uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme.

According to an embodiment of the present application, there is furtherprovided a corresponding computer readable storage medium, on whichprograms capable of being executed by a computing device are stored. Theprograms, when executed, can cause the computing device to implement theabove mentioned processing method.

By the communication method and apparatus for the wireless communicationnetwork and the wireless communication system provided by theembodiments of the present application, the adjustment to theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of the cell cluster can beimproved, so that the communication efficiency is optimized

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method for a wirelesscommunication network according to an embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a wireless communication network towhich a communication method for the wireless communication networkaccording to an embodiment of the present application is applied;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of optional uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration schemes in a TD-SCDMA (Time Division-Synchronous CodeDivision Multiple Access)/LTE TDD (Long Term Evolution Time Divisionduplexing) system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for adjusting anuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of a cell cluster in awireless communication network according to an embodiment of the presentapplication and the wireless communication system according to anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating interaction between theapparatus for adjusting an uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme ofa cell cluster in a wireless communication network according to anembodiment of the present application and a cell;

FIG. 6 a schematic drawing illustrating another example of interactionbetween the apparatus for adjusting an uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme of a cell cluster in a wireless communicationnetwork according to an embodiment of the present application and acell; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating an example of the hardwareconfiguration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the foregoing and other features and advantages of thepresent invention will be more apparent by illustrating in detail apreferred embodiment of the present invention in conjunction withaccompanying drawings.

In the following, description will be made according to the followingorder:

1. The communication method for the wireless communication network

2. The apparatus for adjusting an uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of a cell cluster in a wireless communication network and thewireless communication system

3. Hardware configuration example

1. The Communication Method for the Wireless Communication Network

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method for a wirelesscommunication network according to an embodiment of the presentapplication. In the wireless communication network, at least one cellcluster is included. Cells in each cell cluster have a samecommunication frequency and a same uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme.

The wireless communication network is, for example, the wirelesscommunication network 100 shown in FIG. 2. The wireless communicationnetwork includes three cell clusters. The first cell cluster includes acell 111 and a cell 112, and has a first communication frequency. Thesecond cell cluster includes only a cell 120, and has a secondcommunication frequency. The third cell cluster includes only a cell130, and has a third communication frequency. The frequency point of thefirst communication frequency is higher than that of the secondcommunication frequency, and the frequency point of the secondcommunication frequency is higher than that of the third communicationfrequency. To be noted, the wireless communication network 100 can alsoinclude another number of cell clusters, for example, only one cellcluster. In addition, the number of cells in each cell cluster can beone or more.

In the following, the communication method for the wirelesscommunication network according to the embodiment of the presentapplication will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

In step S10, processing is started, and proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, with respect to one cell cluster of the at least one cellcluster included in the wireless communication network 100, a predictednon-distributable amount of non-distributable service of each cell inthat cell cluster, and a predicted distributable amount of service ofeach cell in that cell cluster which is able to be distributed withother cells are acquired, and processing proceeds to step S14.

As shown in FIG. 1, since coverage ranges of cells may overlap with oneanother, service of mobile terminals located in the overlapped coveragerange may be distributed among different cells. It is to be noted thatit is not the case when a mobile terminal of one cell is located in thecoverage range of another cell at the same time, the service of themobile terminal can be distributed between the two cells, factors suchas whether the mobile terminal supports the communication mode of theother cell are required to be considered as well.

In addition, although the processing is described only with respect toone cell cluster here, those skilled in the art can understand that theprocessing can also be performed to all or part of cell clustersincluded in the wireless communication network 100.

In step S14, with the above mentioned cell cluster, based on theacquired predicted non-distributable amount and predicted distributableamount of each cell in the cell cluster, an uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme of that cell cluster within a next ratioconfiguration adjusting period is determined in order to optimize theutilization efficiency of communication resources, and processingproceeds to step S16 and end.

Preferably, when determining the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of that cell cluster for the next ratio configuration adjustingperiod, it can be further implemented based on a relationship betweenthe predicted distributable amount of each cell in that cell cluster andthe service amount which is able to be carried by that cell under eachcandidate uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme. Those skilled inthe art can understand that other appropriate factors can serve as thebasis for determining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme ofthat cell cluster for the next ratio configuration adjusting period.

When determining based on the predicted non-distributable amount of eachcell in that cell cluster and the relationship between the predicteddistributable amount of each cell in that cell cluster and the serviceamount which is able to be carried by that cell under each candidateuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, an optional manner is todetermine the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, so that aweighted sum of an non-distributable sample amount and a distributablesample amount of each cell in that cell cluster for the next ratioscheme adjusting period is maximum under that uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme. When the maximum throughput which can be providedby each cell in that cell cluster is larger than or equal to a sum ofthe predicted non-distributable amount and predicted distributableamount of this cell in the next ratio configuration adjusting periodunder the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, thenon-distributable sample amount and distributable sample amount of thiscell in the next ratio configuration adjusting period are equal to thepredicted non-distributable amount and predicted distributable amount ofthis cell respectively. When the maximum throughput which can beprovided by each cell in that cell cluster is smaller than a sum of thepredicted non-distributable amount and predicted distributable amount ofthis cell in the next ratio configuration adjusting period under theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, the non-distributable sampleamount and distributable sample amount of this cell in the next ratioconfiguration adjusting period are smaller than or equal to thepredicted non-distributable amount and predicted distributable amount ofthis cell respectively. The specific definition of the non-distributablesample amount and distributable sample amount of this cell in the cellcluster in the next ratio configuration adjusting period will bedescribed later in the Description.

The non-distributable sample amount of each cell in that cell cluster isa portion of the predicted non-distributable amount of that cell whichwill be carried by that cell under the scheme, and can have a firstweight. The distributable sample amount of each cell in that cellcluster is a portion of the predicted distributable amount of that cellwhich will be carried by that cell under the scheme, and can have asecond weight which is smaller than the first weight. The first weightis larger than the second weight, because when considering theallocation of various services among cells, compared with services whichcan be distributed with other cells, services which can be carried onlyby the present cell should have higher priority level.

As for the specific values of the first weight and the second weight,those skilled in the art can set properly according to designrequirements and actual situation, and the details will be omitted here.In addition, in a particular situation, for example, in a situationwhere the predicted distributable amount has a higher priority levelthan the predicted non-distributable amount, the first weight can be setto be smaller than the second weight. Therefore, those skilled in theart can properly set the relationship between the first weight and thesecond weight according to design requirements and actual situation.

In addition, although the non-distributable sample amount and thedistributable sample amount are defined as the portion of the predictednon-distributable amount and the predicted distributable amount in thenext ratio configuration adjusting period which will be carried by thecell in the cell cluster respective, in fact, the distribution among thecells will be implemented according to the actual situation, rather thannecessarily according to the distributable sample amount, in the nextratio configuration adjusting period. This is because the distributablesample amount is only the predication for the service to be occurred inthe next ratio configuration adjusting period. As for thenon-distributable sample amount, the similar situation also exists.

In particular, the predicted distributable amount of each cell in thatcell cluster can include at least one of a predicted intra-frequencydistributable amount of service of each cell in that cell cluster whichis able to be distributed with neighboring cells in that cell clusterand a predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of service of eachcell in that cell cluster which is able to distributed withinter-frequency cells outside that cell cluster. In other words, thepredicted distributable amount of each cell in that cell cluster canonly include the predicted intra-frequency distributable amount of eachcell in that cell cluster, can only include the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount of each cell in that cell cluster,or can include the two as well.

To be noted, since a distance between cells belonging to different cellclusters under the same communication frequency is generally long andthe coverage ranges thereof generally do not overlap with each other,the distribution of service among the cell and identical frequency cellsbelonging to different cell clusters can not be considered.

The predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of each cell in thatcell cluster can include the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount of service distributed from an superordinate cell of that cell.The superordinate cell is a cell of which the communication frequencypoint is lower than that of that cell and the service coverage overlapswith that cell. For example, when the cell cluster which the cell 120belongs to in FIG. 2 is involved, cell 130 is an superordinate cell ofthe cell 120. Similarly, when the cell cluster which the cells 111 and112 belong to is involved, cell 120 is an superordinate cell of thecells 111 and 112. In addition, cell 130 is also an superordinate cellof the cells 111 and 112.

During the actual distribution, the direction of distribution of serviceamong each cell in the cell cluster and the superordinate cells of eachcell can be bi-directional, i.e., service can be distributed from thiscell to its superordinate cell and can be distributed from thesuperordinate cell to this cell as well. However, on one hand, since itis more common to distribute service from a cell with a lower frequencypoint of communication frequency and a larger coverage area to a cellwith a higher frequency point of communication frequency and a smallercoverage area, on the other hand, to facilitate the description of thedistributed service, the distribution of service in the embodiments ofthe present application is performed from a lower frequency cell to ahigher frequency cell. Of course, those skilled in the art can easilyderive a technical solution based on an opposite direction of servicedistribution in accordance with the concept of the present application.

Similarly, the predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of eachcell in that cell cluster can further include the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount of service of each cell in thatcell cluster which is able to be distributed to a lower cell of thatcell. The lower cell is a cell of which the communication frequencypoint is higher than that of that cell and the service coverage overlapswith that cell. For example, when the cell cluster which the cell 120belongs to in FIG. 2 is involved, cells 111 and 112 are lower cells ofthe cell 120. Similarly, when the cell cluster which the cell 130belongs to is involved, cell 120 is the lower cell of the cell 130.

Considering the predicted intra-frequency distributable amount andpredicted inter-frequency distributable amount, an optional manner is tomake a weighted sum of the non-distributable sample amount, thedistributable intra-frequency sample amount and the distributableinter-frequency sample amount of each cell in that cell cluster for thenext ratio configuration adjusting period be maximum under thedetermined uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme. When the maximumthroughput which can be provided by each cell in that cell cluster islarger than or equal to a sum of the predicted non-distributable amount,the predicted intra-frequency distributable amount and the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount of this cell in the next ratioconfiguration adjusting period under the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme, the non-distributable sample amount, thedistributable intra-frequency sample amount and the distributableinter-frequency sample amount of this cell in the next ratioconfiguration adjusting period are equal to the predictednon-distributable amount, the predicted intra-frequency distributableamount and the predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of thiscell respectively. When the maximum throughput which can be provided byeach cell in that cell cluster is smaller than the sum of the predictednon-distributable amount, the predicted intra-frequency distributableamount and the predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of thiscell in the next ratio configuration adjusting period under theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, the non-distributable sampleamount, the distributable intra-frequency sample amount and thedistributable inter-frequency sample amount of this cell in the nextratio configuration adjusting period are smaller than or equal to thepredicted non-distributable amount, the predicted intra-frequencydistributable amount and the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount of this cell respectively. The specific definition of thedistributable intra-frequency sample amount and the distributableinter-frequency sample amount of this cell in the cell cluster in thenext ratio configuration adjusting period will be described later in theDescription.

The distributable intra-frequency sample amount of each cell in thatcell cluster is a portion of the predicted intra-frequency distributableamount of that cell which will be carried by that cell under the scheme,and can have a third weight. The distributable inter-frequency sampleamount of each cell in that cell cluster is a portion of the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount of that cell which will be carriedby that cell under the scheme, and can have a fourth weight. The firstweight can be set to be larger than the third weight, and the thirdweight can be set to be larger than the fourth weight. The reason forsuch settings is that when considering allocation of various servicesamong cells, services which can only be carried by the present cell havethe highest priority level, services which can be distributed with theidentical frequency cells belonging to the same cell cluster have thesecond highest priority level, and services which are distributed fromthe superordinate cells generally have a lower priority than theprevious two.

The specific values of the first weight, the third weight and the fourthweight and the relationship among them can be proper set by thoseskilled in the art according to design requirements and actual situationas well.

In addition, preferably, taking the situation where the uplink serviceand downlink service have different priority levels into consideration,an uplink portion and a downlink portion among the non-distributablesample amount, the distributable intra-frequency sample amount and thedistributable inter-frequency sample amount of each cell in that cellcluster can be allocated with corresponding weights respectively. In thesituation of requiring considering the downlink service more, the weightof the downlink portion can be set higher than the weight of the uplinkportion, vice versa. In addition, the weight of the uplink service andthe weight of the downlink service can be not preset manually either,but be dynamically determined according to the actual service status ofeach cell in the cell cluster. For example, the weight of the uplinkservice and the weight of the downlink service can be set according tothe ratio of the uplink portion to the downlink portion in the predicteddistributable amount and predicted non-distributable amount of eachcell. When the uplink service occupies a larger proportional in thepredicted distributable amount and predicted non-distributable amount ofeach cell, it can be regarded that the uplink service in this cellcluster is more important, and a higher weight is set for the uplinkservice portion correspondingly, vice versa.

In addition, when setting the weight, a uniform weight can be set forcells in the whole cell cluster, or weights can be set separately basedon the situation of each cell. It is also possible to set differentweights for different services according to their importance, so thatthe important service can be considered first. It is also possible toset weights based on the fact whether the distributed service is from acell with heavy load, so that the service from a cell with heavy load isdistributed first.

When determining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of thecell cluster in the next ratio configuration adjusting period, selectioncan be made in a predetermined set of uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration schemes. For example, in the TD-SCDMA/LTE TDD system,selection can be made among the seven uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration schemes (that is, scheme 0 to scheme 6) shown in FIG. 3 ata period of 10 ms. To those skilled in the art, the uplink-downlinkratio configuration scheme can be selected properly according to othermanners, and will not be described in detail here.

After determining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of thatcell cluster for the next ratio configuration adjusting period based onthe predicted non-distributable amount, the predicted intra-frequencydistributable amount of each cell in the cell cluster and the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount of each cell in that cell clusterwith other cells, a transmitting power adjusting scheme of each cell inthat cell cluster for the next ratio configuration adjusting period isdetermined.

Specifically, after determining the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of that cell cluster for the next ratio configuration adjustingperiod, the distributable inter-frequency sample amount to be carried byeach cell in the cell cluster in the next ratio configuration adjustingperiod is also determined. Therefore, it can be determined whether it isnecessary to adjust the transmitting power of the cell. If the cell isto carry the distributed service more in the next ratio configurationadjusting period, the transmitting power of the cell can be increasedproperly, so as to increase the coverage area of the cell and improvethe quality of service which the cell provides for the mobile terminalslocated in the coverage range where the cell and the superordinate celloverlaps. On the contrary, if the cell is to carry the distributedservice less or to carry the distributed service in the next ratioconfiguration adjusting period, the transmitting power of the cell canbe decreased properly, so as to save energy. Of course, under propersituations, the transmitting power of the cell can be maintained withoutany change.

In addition, to be noted, as for the cells in the cell cluster which hasthe lowest frequency point of communication frequency and the largestcoverage range, it is generally not required to adjust the transmittingpower thereof.

In addition, after determining the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme for one cell cluster in step S14, processing can not proceed tostep S16, but return to step S12, and processing is continued withrespect to the cell clusters to which the superordinate cells of eachcell in that cell cluster belongs.

For example, after processing is performed with respect to the cellcluster which the cells 111 and 112 belong to in the wirelesscommunication network 100, processing can be performed with respect tothe cell cluster the cell 120 belonging to subsequently, or processingcan be performed with respect to the cell cluster the cell 130 belongingto subsequently.

In addition, after processing is performed with respect to the cellcluster which the cell 120 belongs to in the wireless communicationnetwork 100, processing can be performed with respect to the cellcluster the cell 130 belonging to subsequently.

To be noted, when processing with respect to subsequent cell clusters,the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme determined with respectto previous cell clusters can be considered to prevent repeatedcalculation of the predicted inter-frequency distributable amountbetween cells of different frequencies. In particular, for example, theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of the cell cluster for thenext ratio configuration adjusting period can be determined based on thepredicted non-distributable amount of each cell in the subsequent cellcluster, the predicted intra-frequency distributable amount of each cellin the subsequent cell cluster, the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount between each cell in the subsequent cell clusterand its superordinate cells, the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount between each cell in the subsequent cell cluster and its lowercells, wherein, the distributable inter-frequency sample amount betweeneach cell in the subsequent cell cluster and the cell in the cellcluster of which the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme has beendetermined is subtracted from the distributable inter-frequency sampleamount between each cell in the subsequent cell cluster and its lowercells.

Therefore, if to determine the uplink-downlink ratio configurationschemes with respect to a plurality of cell clusters, processing can bestarted from a cell cluster with the highest frequency point ofcommunication frequency. In addition, in the wireless communicationnetwork, not only the cell clusters whose uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme can be adjusted (for example, the cells in such acell cluster operates in TDD manner) but also the cell clusters whoseuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme can not be adjusted (forexample, the cells in such a cell cluster operates in FDD (frequencydivision duplexing) manner) may be included. Generally, the cells in thecell cluster with the lowest frequency point of communication frequencyin the wireless communication network operate in FDD manner. As for acell cluster whose uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme can not beadjusted, it is possible to consider, when processing with respect toanother cell cluster, the predicted inter-frequency distributable amountwith the cells in the cell cluster, but not perform determination of theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme with respect to the cellcluster.

To be noted, those skilled in the art can also set other processingorders, for example, an order starting the processing from a cellcluster with the lowest frequency point of the communication frequency,or other proper orders.

In the following, the method for adjusting the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme of a cell cluster included in the wirelesscommunication network 100 will be described in detail, taking thewireless communication network 100 in FIG. 2 as an example.

First of all, the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of a cellcluster with the highest frequency point of communication frequency,i.e., the cell cluster to which cells 111 and 112 belong and which has afirst communication frequency, is determined.

With respect to the cell 111, its predicted non-distributable amounta(111) and its predicted distributable amount b(111) are acquired.

To be noted, b(n) here denotes the predicted distributable amountflowing into the cell n, wherein n is a number of the cell.

With respect to the cell 112, its predicted non-distributable amounta(112) and its predicted distributable amount b(112) are acquired.

Subsequently, with respect to the whole cell cluster, the weighted sumof the non-distributable sample amount A_(i)(111) and the distributablesample amount B_(i)(111) of the cell 111 as well as thenon-distributable sample amount A_(i)(112) and the distributable sampleamount B_(i)(112) of the cell 112 is calculated under theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i.

Assuming the first weight for the non-distributable sample amount is w1,the second weight for the distributable sample amount is w2, theweighted sum of the non-distributable sample amount and distributablesample amount in this cell cluster is x_(i), the total service amountwhich can be provided by the cell 111 under the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme i is R_(i)(111), the total service amount which canbe provided by the cell 112 is R_(i)(112), the following equationstands:

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{{Max}\mspace{11mu} x_{i}} = {{w\; 1\bullet {\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{A_{i}(n)}}} + {w\; 2\bullet {\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{B_{i}(n)}}}}} & \; \\{{A_{i}(n)} \leq {a(n)}} & {{n = 111},112} \\{{B_{i}(n)} \leq {b(n)}} & {{n = 111},112} \\{{{A_{i}(n)} + {B_{i}(n)}} \leq {R_{i}(n)}} & {{n = 111},112}\end{matrix} & (1)\end{matrix}$

For each uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i, there can bederived a maximum weighted value max x_(i). The value of i which makesmax x_(i) the maximum is determined, and the correspondinguplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i is determined as theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of this cell cluster in thenext ratio configuration adjusting period.

To be noted, since the predicted distributable amount, the predictednon-distributable amount, the distributable sample amount, thenon-distributable sample amount, the total service amount which can beprovided by the cell each actually includes components of uplink anddownlink, these amounts are actually one dimensional vector.Correspondingly, the first weight w1 and the second weight w2 are alsoone dimensional vectors (that is, the weight for the uplink weight andthe weight for the downlink weight can be the same or different). Theweighted sum x_(i) is a scalar.

More particularly, the predicted distributable amount b(111) of the cell111 includes the predicted intra-frequency distributable amount b(111,112) between the cell 111 and the cell 112, the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount b(111, 120) between the cell 111and its superordinate cell 120, and the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount b(111, 130) between the cell 111 and itssuperordinate cell 130.

To be noted, b(m, n) here represents the predication amount of servicedistributed from the cell n to the cell m, wherein, m and n are numbersof the cells. Therefore, obviously, b(m, n)=−b(n, m), and b(m, m)=0.

Similarly, the predicted distributable amount b(112) of the cell 112includes the predicted intra-frequency distributable amount b(112, 111)between the cell 112 and the cell 111, the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount b(112, 120) between the cell 112 and itssuperordinate cell 120, and the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount b(112, 130) between the cell 111 and its superordinate cell 130.

With respect to the whole cell cluster, the weighted sum of thenon-distributable sample amount A_(i)(111) of the cell 111, thedistributable intra-frequency sample amount B_(i)(111, 112) of the cell111, the distributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i)(111, 120) andB_(i)(111, 130) between the cell 111 and its superordinate cells 120 and130, as well as the non-distributable sample amount A_(i)(112) of thecell 112, the distributable intra-frequency sample amount B_(i)(112,111) of the cell 112, the distributable inter-frequency sample amountB_(i)(112, 120) and B_(i)(112, 130) between the cell 112 and itssuperordinate cells 120 and 130 is calculated under the uplink-downlinkratio configuration scheme i.

To be noted, B_(i)(m, n) here represents the sample amount of service tobe carried by the cell n in the next ratio configuration adjustingperiod which is distributed from the cell m, wherein, m and n arenumbers of the cells. Therefore, obviously, B_(i)(m, n)=−B_(i)(n, m),and B_(i)(m, m)=0.

Assuming the first weight for the non-distributable sample amount is w1,the third weight for the distributable intra-frequency sample amount isw3, the fourth weight for the distributable inter-frequency sampleamount between the cell and its superordinate cell is w4, the weightedsum of the non-distributable sample amount, the distributableintra-frequency sample amount and the distributable inter-frequencysample amount between the cell and its superordinate cell in this cellcluster is x_(i), the total service amount which can be provided by thecell 111 under the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i isR_(i)(111), the total service amount which can be provided by the cell112 is R_(i)(112), the following equation stands:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Max}\mspace{11mu} x_{i}} = {{w\; 1\bullet {\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{A_{i}(n)}}} + {w\; 3\bullet {\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{\sum\limits_{m = 111}^{112}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}}} + {w\; 4\bullet {\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{\sum\limits_{m = 120}^{130}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}}}}}\begin{matrix}{{A_{i}(n)} \leq {a(n)}} & {{n = 111},112} \\{{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)} \leq {b\left( {n,m} \right)}} & {{n = 111},112,{m = 111},112,120,130} \\{{A_{i}(n)} + {\sum\limits_{m = 111}^{112}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}} +} & {{n = 111},112} \\{{\sum\limits_{m = 120}^{130}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}} \leq {R_{i}(n)}} & \;\end{matrix}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

Similarly, since the predicted non-distributable amount, the predictedintra-frequency distributable amount, the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount between the cell and its superordinate cell, thenon-distributable sample amount, the distributable intra-frequencysample amount, the distributable inter-frequency sample amount betweenthe cell and its superordinate cell, and the total service amount whichcan be provided by the cell each actually is a one dimensional vectorincluding uplink component and downlink component, correspondingly, thefirst weight w1, the third weight w3 and the fourth weight w4 are alsoone dimensional vectors (that is, the weight for the uplink weight andthe weight for the downlink weight can be the same or different). Theweighted sum x_(i) is a scalar.

In addition, to be noted, since b(m, n)=−b(n, m), and b(m, m)=0 stand,in the situation where the weight is the same for each cell, the valueof the item

$``{\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{\sum\limits_{m = 111}^{112}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}}"$

in equation (2) is constant 0. However, those skilled in the art canunderstand that the value of this item may be not constant 0 in thesituation that each cell has different weights.

After determining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i1 forthe cell cluster which the cells 111 and 112 belongs to, theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme can be provided to the cells111 and 112 of the cell cluster. In addition, transmitting power of thecells 111 and 112 can further be adjusted corresponding to theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme, if necessary. The predictedinter-frequency distributable amount corresponding to theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i1 can be further provided tothe superordinate cells 120 and 130 of the cells 111 and 112.

Subsequently, the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme can bedetermined for a cell cluster with the second highest frequency point ofcommunication frequency, i.e., the cell cluster which the cell 120belongs to.

First of all, with respect to the cell 120, its predictednon-distributable amount a(120) and its predicted distributable amountb(120) are acquired. Since this cell cluster just includes one cell 120,there is no predicted intra-frequency distributable amount for the cell120. The predicted distributable amount b(120) of the cell 120 onlyincludes the predicted inter-frequency distributable amount b(120, 130)between the cell 120 and its superordinate cell 130, and the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount b(120, 111) and b(120, 112) betweenthe cell 120 and its lower cells 111 and 112. To be stated, thepredicted inter-frequency distributable amount b(120, 130) between thecell 120 and its superordinate cell 130 is acquired by the cell 130based on the distributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i1)(111,130) and B_(i1)(112, 130) between the cells 111, 112 and the cell 130,which is corresponding to the uplink-downlink ratio configuration schemei1 of the cell cluster which the cells 111 and 112 belong to.

Since the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i1 has beendetermined with respect to the cell cluster which the cells 111 and 112belong to, a portion of the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount b(120, 111) and b(120, 112) of service distributed from the cell120 to its lower cells 111 and 112 will be carried by the lower cells111 and 112 in the next ratio configuration adjusting period (that is,

$\left. {\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{B_{i\; 1}\left( {n,120} \right)}} \right).$

Therefore, when considering the superordinate limit of the distributableinter-frequency sample amount B_(i)(120, 111) and B_(i)(120, 112)between the cell 120 and its lower cells 111, 112, this portion shouldbe removed from the predicted inter-frequency distributable amountbetween the cell 120 and its lower cells 111, 112.

With respect to the whole cell cluster, the weighted sum of thenon-distributable sample amount A_(i)(120) of the cell 120, thedistributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i)(120, 111) andB_(i)(120, 112) between the cell 120 and its lower cells 111 and 112, aswell as the distributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i)(120, 130)between the cell 120 and its superordinate cell 130 is calculated underthe uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i.

Assuming the first weight for the non-distributable sample amount is w1,the fourth weight for the distributable inter-frequency sample amountbetween the cell and its superordinate cell and its lower cell is w4,the weighted sum of the non-distributable sample amount and thedistributable inter-frequency sample amount between the cell and itssuperordinate cell and its lower cell in this cell cluster is x_(i), thetotal service amount which can be provided by the cell 120 under theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i is R_(i)(120), thefollowing equation stands:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Max}\mspace{11mu} x_{i}} = {{w\; 1{{\bullet A}_{i}(120)}} + {w\; 4\bullet {\sum\limits_{m = 111}^{112}{B_{i}\left( {120,m} \right)}}} + {w\; 4{{\bullet B}_{i}\left( {120,130} \right)}}}}\begin{matrix}{{A_{i}(120)} \leq {a(120)}} & \; \\{{B_{i}\left( {120,m} \right)} \leq {{b\left( {120,m} \right)} -}} & {{m = 111},112} \\{B_{i\; 1}\left( {m,120} \right)} & \; \\{{B_{i}\left( {120,130} \right)} \leq {b\left( {120,130} \right)}} & \; \\{{A_{i}(120)} + {\sum\limits_{m = 111}^{112}{B_{i}\left( {120,m} \right)}} +} & \; \\{{B_{i}\left( {120,130} \right)} \leq {R_{i}(120)}} & \;\end{matrix}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

Similarly, since the predicted non-distributable amount, the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount between the cell and itssuperordinate cell and lower cell, the non-distributable sample amount,the distributable inter-frequency sample amount between the cell and itssuperordinate cell and lower cell, and the total service amount whichcan be provided by the cell each actually is a one dimensional vectorincluding uplink component and downlink component, correspondingly, thefirst weight w1, and the fourth weight w4 are also one dimensionalvectors (that is, the weight for the uplink weight and the weight forthe downlink weight can be the same or different). The weighted sumx_(i) is a scalar.

It is to be understood that, in this example, the weight for thedistributable inter-frequency sample amount between the cell and itssuperordinate cell is equal to the weight for the distributableinter-frequency sample amount between the cell and its lower cell, butthose skilled in the art can set different weights according to actualsituation and design requirements.

In addition, since this cell cluster includes only one cell, thepredicted intra-frequency distributable amount and the distributableintra-frequency sample amount are not involved in the processing withrespect to this cell cluster, and summation operation among multiplecells is not implemented either. Those skilled in the art can understandthat, when there are multiple cells in the cell cluster, the processingto be implemented is similar.

After determining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i2 forthe cell cluster which to cell 120 belongs to, the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme can be provided to the cell 120 of the cellcluster. In addition, the transmitting power of the cell 120 can beadjusted corresponding to the uplink-downlink ratio configuration schemeif necessary.

Subsequently, the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme can bedetermined with respect to the cell cluster with the lowest frequencypoint of the communication frequency, that is, the cell cluster whichthe cell 130 belongs to.

First, with respect to the cell 130, its predicted non-distributableamount a(130) and its predicted distributable amount b(130) areacquired. Since this cell cluster just includes one cell 130, there isno predicted intra-frequency distributable amount for the cell 130. Thepredicted distributable amount b(130) of the cell 130 only includes thepredicted inter-frequency distributable amount b(130, 111), b (130, 112)and b(130, 120) between the cell 130 and its lower cells 111, 112 and120.

Since the uplink-downlink ratio configuration schemes i1 and i2 havebeen determined with respect to the cell cluster which the cells 111 and112 belong to and the cell cluster which the cell 120 belongs torespectively, a portion of the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount b(130, 111), b(130, 112) and b(130, 120) of service distributedfrom the cell 130 to its lower cells 111, 112 and 120 will be carried bythe lower cells 111, 112 and 120 in the next ratio configurationadjusting period (that is,

$\left. {{\sum\limits_{n = 111}^{112}{B_{i\; 1}\left( {n,130} \right)}} + {B_{i\; 2}\left( {120,130} \right)}} \right).$

Therefore, when considering the superordinate limit of the distributableinter-frequency sample amount B_(i)(130, 111), B_(i)(130, 112) andB_(i)(130, 120) between the cell 130 and its lower cells 111, 112 and120, this portion should be removed from the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount between the cell 130 and its lower cells 111, 112and 120.

With respect to the whole cell cluster, the weighted sum of thenon-distributable sample amount A_(i)(130) of the cell 130, as well asthe distributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i)(120, 111) andB_(i)(120, 112) between the cell 130 and its lower cell 111 iscalculated under the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i.

Assuming the first weight for the non-distributable sample amount is w1,the fourth weight for the distributable inter-frequency sample amountbetween the cell and its lower cell is w4, the weighted sum of thenon-distributable sample amount and the distributable inter-frequencysample amount between the cell and its lower cell in this cell clusteris x_(i), the total service amount which can be provided by the cell 130under the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i is R_(i)(130),the following equation stands:

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{{Max}\mspace{11mu} x_{i}} = {{w\; 1{{\bullet A}_{i}(130)}} + {w\; 4\bullet {\sum\limits_{{m = 111},112,120}{B_{i}\left( {130,m} \right)}}}}} & \; \\{{A_{i}(130)} \leq {a(130)}} & \; \\{{B_{i}\left( {130,m} \right)} \leq {{b\left( {130,m} \right)} - {B_{i\; 1}\left( {m,130} \right)}}} & {{m = 111},112,120} \\{{{A_{i}(130)} + {\sum\limits_{{m = 111},112,120}{B_{i}\left( {130,m} \right)}}} \leq {R_{i}(130)}} & \;\end{matrix} & (4)\end{matrix}$

Similarly, since the predicted non-distributable amount, the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount between the cell and its lowercell, the non-distributable sample amount, the distributableinter-frequency sample amount between the cell and its lower cell, andthe total service amount which can be provided by the cell each actuallyis a one dimensional vector including uplink component and downlinkcomponent, correspondingly, the first weight w1, and the fourth weightw4 are also one dimensional vectors (that is, the weight for the uplinkweight and the weight for the downlink weight can be the same ordifferent). The weighted sum x_(i) is a scalar.

In addition, since this cell cluster includes only one cell, thepredicted intra-frequency distributable amount and the distributableintra-frequency sample amount are not involved in the processing withrespect to this cell cluster, and summation operation among multiplecells is not implemented either. Those skilled in the art can understandthat, when there are multiple cells in the cell cluster, the processingto be implemented is similar.

After determining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i2 forthe cell cluster which to cell 130 belongs to, the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme can be provided to the cell 130 of the cellcluster. In addition, the transmitting power of the cell 120 can beadjusted corresponding to the uplink-downlink ratio configuration schemeif necessary.

Based on the above processing, a more generalized equation fordetermining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme with respectto the k-th cell cluster (here, ranked in a descending order of thefrequency point of communication frequency) can be obtained as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Max}\mspace{11mu} x_{i}} = {{w\; 1\bullet {\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{A_{i}(n)}}} + {w\; 3\bullet {\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{\sum\limits_{m \in {N{(k)}}}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}}} + {w\; 5\bullet {\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{\sum\limits_{m \in {U{(k)}}}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}}} + {w\; 6\bullet {\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{\sum\limits_{m \in {D{(k)}}}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}}}}}\begin{matrix}{{A_{i}(n)} \leq {a(n)}} & {n \in {N(k)}} \\{{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)} \leq {{b\left( {n,m} \right)} - {B_{i{(m)}}\left( {m,n} \right)}}} & {m \in {D(k)}} \\{{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)} \leq {b\left( {n,m} \right)}} & {m \in {U(k)}} \\{{\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{A_{i}(n)}} + {\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{\sum\limits_{m \in {N{(k)}}}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}} +} & {n \in {N(k)}} \\{{\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{\sum\limits_{n \in {U{(k)}}}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}} +} & \; \\{{\sum\limits_{n \in {N{(k)}}}{\sum\limits_{m \in {D{(k)}}}{B_{i}\left( {n,m} \right)}}} \leq {R_{i}(n)}} & \;\end{matrix}} & (5)\end{matrix}$

Wherein, m and n denotes numbers of cells, N(k) represents a set of cellnumbers of the k-the cell cluster, U(k) represents a set of numbers ofsuperordinate cells of each cell in the k-th cell cluster, D(k)represents a set of numbers of superordinate cells of each cell in thek-th cell cluster, i(m) is a number of the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme determined for the cell cluster which the cell mbelongs to. Obviously, as for the cell cluster k with the highestfrequency point of communication frequency, D(k) is empty, and as forthe cell cluster k with the lowest frequency point of communicationfrequency, U(k) is empty.

To be noted, not any one cell in the set U(k) is the superordinate cellof any one cell in the k-th cell cluster. Therefore, if n∈N(k) andm∈U(k), and the cell m is not the superordinate cell of the cell n, itis set that b(n, m)=0, and correspondingly B_(i)(n, m)=0. With respectto the set D(k), situation is similar.

In addition, besides the specification that the weight for thenon-distributable sample amount is w1, and the weight for thedistributable intra-frequency sample amount is w3, it is furtherspecified that the weight for the distributable inter-frequency sampleamount between the cell and its superordinate cell is w5 and the weightfor the distributable inter-frequency sample amount between the cell andits lower cell is w6.

Those skilled in the art can understand, equation (5) can be applied toanother wireless communication network different from the wirelesscommunication network 100 shown in FIG. 2. The wireless communicationnetwork can include more than 3 cell clusters, and each cell cluster caninclude one or more cells.

Those skilled in the art can further modify equation (5) to get an evenmore generalized expression, when considering factors such as theimportance of service, the importance of the cell, whether thedistributed service comes from a cell with heavy load, and the like.

Besides the above mentioned manner, those skilled in the art candetermine an uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme for the cellcluster which maximizes the utilization efficiency of communicationresources in other proper manners, which will not be described in detailhere.

The multiple cell clusters can have the same communication frequency.However, since service distribution generally does not occur among cellswith the same frequency but belonging to different cell clusters, theprocessing order among multiple cell clusters at the same frequency canbe changed.

In addition, although each cell cluster is processed here in adescending order of frequency point of communication frequency, theprocessing can be performed in other appropriate orders.

Moreover, if the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme for aportion of cell clusters in the wireless communication network is notadjustable, processing can be not done to such cell clusters, which are“skipped”.

In the above, how to determine the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of the cell cluster in the wireless communication network for thenext ratio configuration adjusting period is described. According to theabove solution, the utilization efficiency of communication resourcescan be optimized.

In the procedure of actual distribution in the next ratio configurationadjusting period, the following principles can further be referred to:

-   -   1) The service distributed due to too heavy load is received        preferentially.    -   2) if the receiving of the service distributed due to too heavy        load may cause the total service amount of the present cell to        exceed the service capability which can be provided by the        present cell, but the amount exceeding the service capability        which can be provided by the present cell is within a        predetermined threshold range, this portion of service        distributed due to too heavy load is still received.

By referring to the above mentioned principles, the performance of thewireless communication network can be optimized in the actualdistribution.

2. The Apparatus for Adjusting an Uplink-Downlink Ratio ConfigurationScheme of a Cell Cluster in a Wireless Communication Network

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus 200 for adjusting an uplink-downlinkratio configuration scheme of a cell cluster in a wireless communicationnetwork according to an embodiment of the present application and thewireless communication system 300 according to an embodiment of thepresent application.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication system includes theapparatus 200 and at least one cell cluster 210. The apparatus 200includes a configuration unit 201 and a communication unit 202.

To be noted, the apparatus 200 can be provided separately from the basestations in the cell clusters, and can be provided in a base station inthe cell clusters. In addition, a part of units of the apparatus 200 canbe provided separately, while the other part of units is provided in oneor more base stations. Alternatively, various parts of the apparatus 200can be provided in one or more base stations.

The configuration unit 201 is configured to, with respect to one cellcluster in the wireless communication network 100, determine theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of that cell cluster within anext ratio configuration adjusting period, based on a predictednon-distributable amount of non-distributable service of each cell inthat cell cluster, and a predicted distributable amount of service ofeach cell in that cell cluster which is able to be distributed withother cells, in order to optimize the utilization efficiency ofcommunication resources.

As stated above, the predicted distributable amount of each cell in thatcell cluster can include at least one of a predicted intra-frequencydistributable amount of service of each cell in that cell cluster whichis able to be distributed with neighboring cells in that cell clusterand a predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of service of eachcell in that cell cluster which is able to distributed withinter-frequency cells outside that cell cluster.

The predicted inter-frequency distributable amount of each cell in thatcell cluster can include the predicted inter-frequency distributableamount of service distributed from an superordinate cell of that cell.The superordinate cell is a cell of which the communication frequencypoint is lower than that of that cell and the service coverage overlapswith that cell.

The configuration unit 201 can be further configured to, afterdetermining the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of that cellcluster for the next ratio configuration adjusting period, determine theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of the cell cluster to whichthe superordinate cell of each cell in that cell cluster belongs, basedon the determined uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme.

The configuration unit 201 can be further configured to, according tothe uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of that cell cluster forthe next ratio configuration adjusting period, determine a transmittingpower adjusting scheme of each cell in that cell cluster for the nextratio configuration adjusting period.

In other words, the configuration unit 201 can implement the processingof steps S12 and S14 in the foregoing communication method for thewireless communication network according to an embodiment of the presentapplication, which will not be repeated here.

The communication unit 202 is configured to, with respect to that cellcluster, provide the determined uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme of that cell cluster for the next ratio configuration adjustingperiod to a base station in that cell cluster. In particular, thecommunication unit 202 can provide the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme to the base station in the cell via an X2 interfaceor other proper interfaces. The communication unit can further providethe power adjusting scheme to the base station in the cell via the X2interface or other proper interfaces.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the units for determiningthe uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme or the power adjustingscheme can also be provided in the base station of each cell, so that itis not necessary to provide these schemes to the base station via the X2interface and the like.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating interaction between theapparatus 200 and each cell in the wireless communication network 100.The apparatus 200 here is an apparatus independent from each cell in thewireless communication network 100.

First, the apparatus 200 acquires the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount b(111, 130) and b(112, 130) from the cell 130,acquires the predicted inter-frequency distributable amount b(111, 120)and b(112, 120) from the cell 120, and acquires the predictedintra-frequency distributable amount b(111, 112) and the predictednon-distributable amount a(111) and a (112) from the cells 111 and 112.

Subsequently, at the apparatus 200, the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme i1 is determined with respect to the cell clusterwhich the cells 111 and 112 belong to, and provided to the cells 111 and112. In addition, it is further possible to determine the poweradjusting schemes for cells 111 and 112 at the apparatus 200, andprovide the same to the cells 111 and 112. It is also possible todetermine respective power adjusting schemes at the cells 111 and 112.In addition, the distributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i1)(111,130) and B_(i1)(112, 130) corresponding to the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme i1 is provided to the cell 130.

Subsequently, at the apparatus 200, the predicted inter-frequencydistributable amount b(120, 130) is acquired from the cell 130, and thepredicted non-distributable amount a(120) is acquired from the cell 120.

Next, the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i2 is determinedwith respect to the cell cluster which the cell 120 belongs to, andprovided to the cell 120. In addition, it is further possible todetermine the power adjusting schemes for the cell 120 at the apparatus200, and provide the same to the cell 120. It is also possible todetermine the power adjusting scheme for the cell 120 at the cell 120.

Subsequently, at the apparatus 200, the predicted non-distributableamount a(130) is acquired from the cell 130.

Finally, the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i3 is determinedwith respect to the cell cluster which the cell 130 belongs to, andprovided to the cell 130. In addition, it is further possible todetermine the power adjusting schemes for the cell 130 at the apparatus200, and provide the same to the cell 130. It is also possible todetermine the power adjusting scheme for the cell 130 at the cell 130.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the uplink-downlink ratio configurationscheme can further be determined in each cell cluster respectively. Inthis example, each unit of the apparatus 200 is distributed in basestations of each cell cluster. When there are multiple cells in the cellcluster, each unit of the apparatus 200 can be distributed in respectivebase station of the plurality of cells, or distributed only in the basestation of one of the cells.

First, the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located in the cells 111and 112 acquires the predicted inter-frequency distributable amountb(111, 130) and b(112, 130) from the cell 130, acquires the predictedinter-frequency distributable amount b(111, 120) and b(112, 120) fromthe cell 120, acquires the predicted intra-frequency distributableamount b(111, 112) and the predicted non-distributable amount a(111) anda(112) from the cells 111 and 112.

Next, the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located at the cells 111and 112 determines the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i1with respect to the cell cluster which the cells 111 and 112 belong to,and can further determine the power adjusting schemes for the cells 111and 112. In addition, the distributable inter-frequency sample amountB_(i1)(111, 120) and B_(i1)(112, 120) corresponding to theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i1 is provided to the unit ofthe apparatus 200 which is located at the cell 120, and thedistributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i1)(111, 130) andB_(i1)(112, 130) corresponding to the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration scheme i1 is provided to the unit of the apparatus 200which is located at the cell 130.

Next, the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located at the cell 120acquires the predicted inter-frequency distributable amount b(120, 130)from the cell 130, and acquires the predicted non-distributable amounta(120) from the cell 120.

Next, the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located at the cell 120determines the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i2 withrespect to the cell cluster which the cell 120 belongs to, and canfurther determine the power adjusting scheme for the cell 120. Inaddition, the distributable inter-frequency sample amount B_(i1)(120,130) corresponding to the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i2is provided to the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located at thecell 130.

Next, the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located at the cell 130acquires the predicted non-distributable amount a(130) from the cell130.

Finally, the unit of the apparatus 200 which is located at the cell 130determines the uplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme i3 withrespect to the cell cluster which the cell 130 belongs to, and canfurther determine the power adjusting scheme for the cell 130.

The wireless communication system and the apparatus for adjusting theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of the cell cluster in thewireless communication network according to embodiments of the presentapplication have been described in the above. According to the wirelesscommunication system and the apparatus, the utilization efficiency ofcommunication resources can be optimized by adjusting theuplink-downlink ratio configuration scheme of the cell cluster.

3. Hardware Configuration Example

The constituent units and devices of the apparatus, system or basestation according to embodiments of the invention as stated above can beimplemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof.In the case where the present application is realized by software orfirmware, a program constituting the software or firmware is installedin a computer with a dedicated hardware structure (e.g. the generalcomputer 700 shown in FIG. 7) from a storage medium or network, whereinthe computer is capable of implementing various functions of the abovementioned units and sub-units when installed with various programs.

In FIG. 7, a computing processing unit (CPU) 701 executes variousprocessing according to a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 702or a program loaded to a random access memory (RAM) 703 from a storagesection 708. The data needed for the various processing of the CPU 701may be stored in the RAM 703 as needed. The CPU 701, the ROM 702 and theRAM 703 are linked with each other via a bus 704. An input/outputinterface 705 is also linked to the bus 704.

The following components are linked to the input/output interface 705:an input section 706 (including keyboard, mouse and the like), an outputsection 707 (including displays such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), aliquid crystal display (LCD), a loudspeaker and the like), a storagesection 708 (including hard disc and the like), and a communicationsection 709 (including a network interface card such as a LAN card,modem and the like). The communication section 709 performscommunication processing via a network such as the Internet. A driver710 may also be linked to the input/output interface 705, if needed. Ifneeded, a removable medium 711, for example, a magnetic disc, an opticaldisc, a magnetic optical disc, a semiconductor memory and the like, maybe installed in the driver 710, so that the computer program readtherefrom is installed in the memory section 708 as appropriate.

In the case where the foregoing series of processing is achieved throughsoftware, programs forming the software are installed from a networksuch as the Internet or a memory medium such as the removable medium711.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the memorymedium is not limited to the removable medium 711 shown in FIG. 10,which has program stored therein and is distributed separately from theapparatus so as to provide the programs to users. The removable medium711 may be, for example, a magnetic disc (including floppy disc(registered trademark)), a compact disc (including compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disc (DVD), a magnetooptical disc (including mini disc (MD)(registered trademark)), and asemiconductor memory. Alternatively, the memory medium may be the harddiscs included in ROM 702 and the storage section 708 in which programsare stored, and can be distributed to users along with the device inwhich they are incorporated.

In addition, the present invention further discloses a program productin which machine-readable instruction codes are stored. Theaforementioned methods according to the embodiments can be implementedwhen the instruction codes are read and executed by a machine.Accordingly, a memory medium for carrying the program product in whichmachine-readable instruction codes are stored is also covered in thepresent invention. The memory medium includes but is not limited to softdisc, optical disc, magnetic optical disc, memory card, memory stick andthe like.

In addition, obviously, each operation procedure of the processingmethods according to embodiments of the present invention can also beimplemented in a manner of computer executable programs stored invarious machine-readable storage mediums.

To be noted, the constituent units or devices of the apparatus, thesystem and base station according to embodiments of the presentinvention can be separate components, or one component implementingfunctions of several constituent units or devices.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove, the embodiments as described above are merely illustrative butnot limitative of the invention. Those skilled in the art can makevarious modifications, replacements, combinations orpartial-combinations to the features in the above embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of theinvention is defined merely by the appended claims.

1. An electronic device, comprising: circuitry, configured to estimate atraffic amount for a cell to be offloaded from other cell(s) in a TimeDivision Duplex (TDD) communication system based on cell specific loadinformation; and determine an uplink-downlink ratio configurationintended to be used by the cell based on the estimation, and theelectronic device further comprises a transmitter configured to transmitthe uplink-downlink ratio configuration to neighbor cells via an X2interface.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isfurther configured to determine a power control scheme to be used by thecell based on the estimation.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the traffic amount to be offloaded is from overloaded cell(s).4. An electronic device, comprising: circuitry configured to read andexecute instructions from memory, and acquire a message from a controlapparatus, the message comprising an uplink-downlink ratio configurationfor a next ratio configuration adjusting period, wherein theuplink-downlink ratio configuration for the next ratio configurationadjusting period is determined by an estimation of a traffic amount tobe offloaded from other cell(s) for a cell in a Time Division Duplex(TDD) communication system based on cell specific load information; anda determination of an uplink-downlink ratio configuration to be used bythe cell based on the estimation; and the control apparatus furthercomprises a transmitter configured to transmit the uplink-downlink ratioconfiguration to the electronic device and other neighbor cells via anX2 interface.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the circuitryis further configured to determine a power control scheme to be used bythe cell based on the estimation.
 6. The electronic device of claim 4,wherein the traffic amount to be offloaded is from overloaded cell(s).